Telephone enhancements

ABSTRACT

A telephone user&#39;s speech volume is monitored in relation to a minimum volume sufficient for a remote conversant, with whom the user communicates, to audibly perceive the user&#39;s speech. Upon detecting that the user&#39;s volume exceeds the level sufficient to communication, it is determined whether the user moderates the volume, without being prompted, to the sufficient level. Upon determining that the user moderates the speaking voice without being prompted, positive reinforcement is provided to the user. Results are recorded over multiple phone calls. A frequency of the user moderating the speaking volume without being prompted is tracked from the recorded results. Upon the frequency of the user moderating the volume without being prompted rising over the tracked phone calls, the quality and/or quantity of the positive reinforcement may be improved. The user is thus trained or treated, e.g., audiologically or therapeutically, to self-modulate the volume.

RELATED U.S. APPLICATION & PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims the benefit of priority to related, ProvisionalU.S. Patent Application No. 61/361,784 filed on 6 Jul. 2010 entitled‘Telephone Enhancements’ by Lawrence R. Goerke, Jr., which is assignedto Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation.

TECHNOLOGY

The present invention relates generally to telephony. More particularly,an embodiment of the present invention relates to telephoneenhancements.

BACKGROUND

Cellular or mobile telephones (“cell phones”) and other, similarlycapable mobile or portable devices such as the personal digitalassistant (PDA) and a host of related or similar consumer electronic,networking, communicating and/or computing devices (“cell phones andrelated devices”), have become commonplace. Cell phones and relateddevices allow users to communicate telephonically at will from virtuallyany location (e.g., within the range or expanse of a cell phonenetwork). Cell phones are said to have effectively “tied the phone tothe user, instead of to a particular location,” as with conventional“land-line” telephones. So popular & widely used as they are, cellphones find application in a virtually limitless settings, situationsand circumstances. For instance, cell phone users may hold telephonicconversations “in public,” a feature rather uncommon with typicallandline phones, except “pay phones” and other publicly situatedtelephones, such as those in prisons, mental health facilities, charityhospitals, military barracks, hotel lobbies, and similar institutionalsettings.

Cell phones are often used on commuter trains, busses and the like, orwhile attending private or public gatherings such as parties, dances,conventions and the like. These use milieus typically share at least onesignificant trait: rather loud levels of ambient noise. When usersconverse over their phones in high noise environments, they mayexperience difficulty hearing the party with whom they are conversingover the phone. Sometimes, noise or the resulting difficulty in hearinga party on the phone may compromise users' ability to effectivelymodulate or moderate the volume of their own telephone speaking voice.Unable to modulate their own volume, users often, consciously orunconsciously, raise their own speaking volume. While this tendency toraise their volume is not effective in improving their hearing, it doesseem to be a sort of a natural reaction, perhaps somewhat reflexive,among many telephone users in high noise areas. Users of fixed location(e.g., wire line, landline connected) telephones may be affected as wellas users of cell phones and related devices.

The approaches described in this section are approaches that could bepursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previouslyconceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it shouldnot be assumed that any of the approaches described in this sectionqualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in thissection. Similarly, issues identified with respect to one or moreapproaches should not assume to have been recognized in any prior art onthe basis of this section, unless otherwise indicated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by way of example,and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanyingdrawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elementsand in which:

FIG. 1 depicts an example system, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 depicts an example network environment, according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts an example platform, with which an embodiment of thepresent invention may be practiced; and

FIG. 4 depicts an example device, with which an embodiment of thepresent invention may be practiced.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Telephone enhancements are described herein. In the followingdescription, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific detailsare set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of thepresent invention. It will be apparent, however, that the presentinvention may be practiced without these specific details. In otherinstances, well-known structures and devices are not described inexhaustive detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily occluding, obscuring,or obfuscating the present invention.

Overview

Example embodiments described herein relate to telephone enhancements.An embodiment enhances telephone features and uses for the hearinghandicapped and other users of a telephone. A telephone user's speechvolume is monitored in relation to a minimum volume sufficient for aremote conversant, with whom the user communicates, to audibly perceivethe user's speech. Upon detecting that the user's volume exceeds thelevel sufficient to allow communication, it is determined whether theuser moderates the volume, without being prompted, to the sufficientlevel. Upon determining that the user moderates the speaking voicewithout being prompted, positive reinforcement is provided to the user.Results may be recorded over multiple phone calls. A frequency of theuser moderating the speaking volume without being prompted may betracked from the recorded results. Upon the frequency of the usermoderating the volume without being prompted rising over the trackedphone calls, the quality and/or quantity of the positive reinforcementmay be improved. The user is thus trained or treated, e.g.,audiologically or therapeutically, to self-modulate the volume.

Example Telephone Application

An embodiment relates to cellular telephones and other wireless portablecommunication and computing devices, such as a portable digitalassistant (PDA), Droid™, Blackberryl™, iPhone™ and similar consumerelectronic products, as well as telephones that are associated with afixed (or relatively limited) location and/or connected with or via awire line and/or a land line that comprises optically and/orelectrically transmissive or conductive media (“fixed location phones”).

Cell phones are often used on commuter trains, busses and the like, orwhile attending private or public gatherings such as parties, dances,conventions and the like. These use milieus typically share at least onesignificant trait: rather loud levels of ambient noise. Fixed locationphones may also be used in areas of high noise. When users converse overtheir phones in high noise environments, they may experience difficultyhearing the party with whom they are conversing over the phone.Sometimes, noise or the resulting difficulty in hearing a party on thephone may compromise users' ability to effectively modulate or moderatethe volume of their own telephone speaking voice. Unable to modulatetheir own volume, users often, consciously or unconsciously, raise theirown speaking volume. While this tendency to raise their volume is noteffective in improving their hearing, it does seem to be a sort of anatural reaction, perhaps somewhat reflexive, among many telephone usersin high noise areas. Users of fixed location (e.g., wire line, landlineconnected) telephones may be affected as well as users of cell phonesand related devices.

This tendency seems to be somewhat common among many telephone users,most of whom enjoy more or less normal hearing. As used herein (e.g., inthe immediately foregoing and/or next sentences), the term ‘normal’ maybe used to refer to one or more of an audiological or a statisticalconnotation, context, definition, or inference in relation to aqualitative or quantitative aspect or characteristic of a user's humanpsychoacoustic capability. However, a significant number of telephoneusers may lack normal hearing in one or more ways. For example, asignificant number of cell phone users suffer from at least one of avariety of hearing handicaps or disabilities. Some hearing handicaps cansignificantly, even substantially degrade a sufferer's ability toeffectively moderate the volume and tone of their own voice. Thesedisabilities can exacerbate the tendency for a phone user to raise theirvoice in a noisy environment.

Hearing handicaps that so degrade the ability for a victim toeffectively moderate the volume of their voice are often suffered evenin typical face to face conversations with other people; perhapssignificantly more often when talking over a cell phone. Monauralism isan example of one such hearing handicap. Monaural individuals, perhapsespecially those who may have lost total (or most) hearing in one earmay be particularly vexed with this volume moderation disability. Phoneuse in a loud environment may thus cause hearing handicapped users toraise their voices to volumes that may be disproportionately loud forthe circumstances, perhaps even more than users with normal hearing.

For example, a monaural person's already compromised ability to smoothlymoderate their voice volume in face-to-face conversations is almostalways degraded in loud rooms (e.g., with relatively loud music and/ormultiple relatively loud surrounding conversations) or passenger railcars, on account of the increased background noise. Passenger rail carsmay be a pertinent noise example, as the background noise in which cellphones may be used there typically combines not only track, wheel,machinery, vibrational, rattling, grinding, squeaking, squealing andvarious metallic-like noises, but loud face to face conversations aswell, and even other “loud” cell phone conversations.

Ambient noise in such milieus can, and often does affect even peoplefortunate enough to enjoy normal binaural hearing. A typical result ofthese deleterious affects is that cell phone and other phone users ingeneral, and monaural and other hearing handicapped users in particular,may find themselves speaking louder than they need to, to be understoodby a listener on the other end of the telephone connection. Thistendency to speak louder than necessary can be annoying to other peoplein earshot and may be embarrassing to the user.

Only a given, typically “reasonable” speaking volume is needed with mostcell phones for a speaker to be clearly understood by a remote listenerwith whom they are conversing over the phone. While ambient noise mayaffect this level, some cell phones can detect the speaker's voicevolume as a signal and discriminate ambient sound volume as noise. Somecell phones may compute a corresponding relationship between the signaland the noise, such as a signal to noise ratio (SNR), from the speaker'svoice signal and the ambient noise. The computed signal to noiserelationship can be used to generate level adjustments, which while theuser is in that ambient sound field, can help keep the speaker's voicesignal intelligible to a remote conversant with whom the user iscommunicating via the phone.

An embodiment relates to enhancements that may help users, including thehearing handicapped, to more effectively communicate using telephonesand to learn to self-moderate their telephone speaking volume in variousnoise environments and other settings.

Example Processes

A speaking volume of a telephone user's voice is monitored in relationto a minimum volume that is computed to be sufficient for a remoteconversant, with whom the user communicates with the telephone, toaudibly perceive the telephone user's speech. Upon detecting that theuser's monitored speaking volume exceeds the computed level thatsuffices to allow the remote conversant to perceive the user's speech,it is determined whether the user moderates the speaking voice, withoutbeing prompted in relation to the excessive speaking volume, to a levelthat at least approximates the computed minimum sufficient volume. Thecomputed sufficient volume level may be measured in relation to athreshold level. The threshold level may comprise a preset volume levelor a volume level that is adjustable in response to a range or to achange in an ambient noise level that is proximate to the usertelephone. Upon determining that the user moderates the speaking voice,without being prompted, to a level that approximates the computedminimum volume that suffices to communicate effectively, a positivereinforcement is provided to the user.

An embodiment records a result for the monitoring of the telephoneuser's voice in relation to the minimum sufficient volume and thedetermination of whether the user moderates the speaking voice withoutbeing prompted over multiple phone calls made by the user, e.g., over aperiod of time. The recorded result may include a stored and indexed setof relative levels of the user speaking volume prior and subsequent tothe moderating of the user speaking voice. From the recorded result, itis tracked whether a frequency of the user moderating the speakingvolume without being prompted rises over the multiple phone calls. Uponthe rate of occurrences of the user moderating the speaking volumewithout being prompted rising over the user's multiple phone calls, anembodiment improves a quality related to (or associated with) thepositive reinforcement and/or a quantity thereof. Users may thus betrained to self-modulate their telephonic speaking voice volumes. Anembodiment thus relates to an audiological training method ortherapeutic approach.

Monitoring the user's volume, recording the result thereof, and/ortracking the frequency of the user moderating the speaking volumewithout being prompted therewith may be performed continuously,periodically, discretely or persistently. The monitoring, recordingand/or tracking may be performed locally or proximately in relation tothe user's phone, such as with a component of the phone. Additionally oralternatively, the monitoring, recording and/or tracking may beperformed remotely in relation to the user's phone, such as with acomponent or an entity of the communication medium, internet ortelephone network with which the phone functions.

Upon determining that the user does not moderate the speaking voicevolume to a level that approximates the computed minimum sufficientvolume, an embodiment prompts the user to moderate the speaking volume.Prompting the user may include notifying the user in relation to theexcessive volume level and allowing the user to attempt to moderate thevolume level. The monitoring of the user speaking volume continues uponthe prompt, and may persist for a given or adjustable time period. Uponthe user moderating the volume, in response to the prompt, themoderation may be reinforced, e.g., with a positive reinforcement. Ifthere is no significant change in the speaking volume following theprompt, the prompt may be repeated and augmented, e.g., with an enhancedprompt.

The telephone renders the positive reinforcement and the prompt to theuser audibly, perceptually or subliminally. While the positivereinforcements and the prompt are rendered audibly to the telephone userhowever, neither the positive reinforcements nor the prompt are sent ormade audible to a remote conversant, with whom the user communicatesover the telephone.

The positive reinforcement and the prompt may be pre-recorded orpre-selected sounds, sound snippets, voice, music or tones. For example,the positive reinforcements may comprise pre-recorded or pre-selectedsound snippets. The user may pre-select or pre-record a voice that has atimbre or other characteristic which, from at least a subjectiveperspective of the user, is pleasant. The user may pre-select orpre-record an affirmation. The user may pre-select or pre-record asnippet of a favorite song, a melody, harmony or rhythm which, from atleast the user's subjective perspective, is pleasant. The user maypre-select or pre-record a variety of positive reinforcements. The usermay pre-select or pre-record a mixture of several sounds, such as thepleasant voice over a musical background, or even the two sounds mixedwith a subliminal affirmation that may be perceived, yet below aconsciousness threshold.

The positive reinforcements may be recorded, stored, indexed, accessedand rendered locally or proximately in relation to the telephone. Forexample, the positive reinforcements may be recorded, stored, indexed,accessed and rendered with one or more on-board components of thetelephone. The positive reinforcements may be recorded with themicrophone component of the phone or downloaded over a network andstored in on-board storage media of the telephone, such as a miniaturehard drive or a flash memory component. Additionally or alternatively,the positive reinforcements may be recorded, stored, indexed, and/oraccessed remotely in relation to the telephone. For example, thepositive reinforcements may be stored, indexed, and/or accessed with oneor more entities that are associated with the telephone network,internet or communications medium with which the telephone functions,such as a router, switch, server, gateway or mobile switching center.

Similarly, the prompts may be pre-selected and/or pre-recorded by theuser. Additionally or alternatively, the prompts may be generated by anenhancement component of the telephone or the telephone network. Theprompts may be recorded, stored, indexed, accessed and rendered locallyor proximately in relation to the telephone. Additionally oralternatively, the prompts may be recorded, stored, indexed, and/oraccessed remotely in relation to the telephone, for example one or moreentities that are associated with the telephone network, internet orcommunications medium with which the telephone functions.

Determining whether the user moderates the speaking voice without beingprompted may be conducted over a time period. The time period maycomprise a pre-set time span, a threshold time span, a programmable,changeable, controllable or adjustable time span, a variable time span,or a constant time span, or the time period may change from one toanother. The threshold time span, the programmable, changeable,controllable or adjustable time span, and/or the variable time span maybe changeable, controllable, adjustable or variable based, at leastpartially, on a change in the frequency of the user moderating thespeaking volume without being prompted. For example, as the userself-moderates the volume more frequently over the monitored timeperiod, the time period may be truncated or shortened. The user may thenhave less time, upon detection of an excessive speaking volume, in whichto self-moderate before being prompted. The user is thus further trainedto self modulate the speaking voice volume.

The time period changeability, controllability, adjustability orvariability may relate to the improvement in the quality and/or quantityof the positive reinforcement. Thus, a user who successfully selfmoderates the volume without being prompted as the time period shortensmay be reinforced with a positive reinforcement that endures for alonger time, or which is more preferable or pleasing to the user from atleast a subjective perspective. For example, the vocal affirmations maybecome more cheerful or encouraging, or the music selection may shift toa more favored song.

Upon detecting that user moderates the volume before being prompted theuser's moderating behavior may be further reinforced, such as withfurther, longer or more preferable or pleasing positive reinforcement.Thus, the user is further trained to self-moderate the volume.

Monitoring the speaking volume and/or the determination of whether theuser self-moderates the volume may include monitoring an ambient noiselevel that is associated with user's phone, and or the telephone of theremote conversant, in relation to a volume that suffices to allow theremote conversant, with whom the user communicates with a call over thetelephones, to perceive the speech of the user, e.g., intelligibly or ata level sufficient to allow verbal telephonic communication to proceed.

Upon detecting that the user's speaking volume is insufficient for theremote conversant to understand the user's speech, the user may beprompted in relation to the insufficient speaking volume. For example,the prompt may inform the user to raise the speaking volume to a levelthat is computed to suffice to allow the remote conversant to perceivethe speech of the user.

An embodiment monitors an effectiveness of the positive reinforcements.The positive reinforcements may be changed to improve the training ofthe user to self-moderate the volume. In many cases, a user may simplyspeak more softly to self-moderate the volume.

An embodiment may execute, perform, or implement these techniques with avariety of systems, networks, communication and/or computing apparatus,integrated circuit (IC) devices, including microprocessors, digitalsignal processors (DSP), configurable or programmable logic devices suchas gate arrays (e.g., FPGA) and microcontrollers, and applicationspecific ICs (ASIC). Functions and/or components may include hardware(e.g., components or devices), software (e.g., modules or code),firmware and combinations thereof.

Example Enhancement System and Network Environment

FIG. 1 depicts an example system 100, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. System 100 functions to provide telephoneenhancements, as described herein. System 100, or at least a portionthereof, may comprise, or be disposed with, a component of a usertelephone 121 or a user cell phone 123. Additionally or alternatively,system 100, or at least a portion thereof, may comprise, or be disposedwith, an entity associated with, or a component of, a communicationsmedium and/or network 150 with which the telephone functions. Thecommunications medium or network 150 may comprise a telephone network orthe Internet. Components of system 100 may comprise hardware, software,firmware or combinations thereof and may be implemented with a computerand/or communication apparatus or a component thereof, such as anintegrated circuit (IC) device.

System 100 may be communicatively coupled or otherwise function withuser telephone 121 via communication medium or network 150 usingoptically transmissive or electrically conductive wire lines, landlines, telephone wires (e.g., shielded twisted pair or coaxial cable) orfiber optics. System 100 has a communication interface 113.Communication interface 113 communicatively couples system 100 tocommunications medium or network 150. User cell phone 121 may becommunicatively coupled wirelessly with the communication medium ornetwork 150.

System 100 has a monitor component 101. Monitor 101 continuously,periodically or discretely detects, samples, observes and/or follows thespeaking volume of the telephone user's voice. Monitor 100 detects,samples, observes or follows the volume in relation to a minimum volumelevel that is computed to be sufficient for a remote conversant, withwhom the user communicates with the telephone, to audibly perceive theuser's speech.

System 100 has a controller 103. Upon monitor 101 detecting that theuser's monitored speaking volume exceeds the computed level thatsuffices to allow the remote conversant to perceive the user's speech,controller 103 determines whether the user self-moderates the speakingvoice volume. Controller 103 makes the determination based on the userself-moderating the volume, without being prompted in relation to theexcessive level thereof, to a level that at least approximates thecomputed minimum sufficient volume.

System 100 has a training agent (e.g., component) 105. Upon controller103 determining that the user moderates the speaking voice, withoutbeing prompted, to a level that approximates the computed minimumsufficient volume, training agent 105 provides a positive reinforcementto the user.

In an embodiment, system 100 has a recorder component 117. Recorder 117records a result for the monitor 101 and/or the controller 103 overmultiple user phone calls. System 100 may also have a tracker 111.Tracker 111 tracks, from the result recorded with recorder 117, whethera frequency of the user moderating the speaking volume without beingprompted rises over the multiple user phone calls. System 100 maydistinguish between calls made by various or different users of the sametelephone. For example, a component of user telephone 121 or user cellphone 123 may discriminate between the voices of particular usersthereof, such as with matching an audiogram sampled and processed from agiven user's active voiceprint, from a pre-recorded or referenceaudiogram. Additionally or alternatively for example, a component of anentity of communication medium or network 150 (e.g., network entity 201;FIG. 2) may discriminate between users and their telephones using any ofa variety of telephonic techniques, such as code division multipleaccess (CDMA) or time division multiple access (TDMA) approaches.

System 100 may also have an enhancement component 107. Upon thefrequency of the user self-moderating the speaking volume without beingprompted rising over the course of the user's multiple phone calls,enhancer 107 improves a quality and/or a quantity of the positivereinforcement. System 100 thus provides training to a user. In at leasta sense, system 100 provides the user with an audiological trainingtechnique or therapeutic approach or treatment process, with which theuser is trained to self-moderate the speaking voice volume.

Positive reinforcements and/or prompts may be stored locally orproximately in relation to system 100 with on-board storage medium 109.The positive reinforcements and/or the prompts may be adjustably,controllably or programmatically set, recorded, indexed, accessed,retrieved and/or rendered from on-board storage medium 109. However, anembodiment may additionally or alternatively store the positivereinforcements and/or the prompts remotely in relation to system 100with off-board storage medium 119. System 100 may access off-boardstorage medium 119 via the communication medium or network 150. Thepositive reinforcements and/or the prompts may be adjustably,controllably or programmatically set, recorded, updated, indexed,accessed, retrieved and/or rendered from off-board storage medium 119.

FIG. 2 depicts an example network environment 200, according to anembodiment of the present invention. Network environment 200 includes anetwork 250. Network 250 may include, or comprise a component of, theinternet or a telephone network. The communication medium or network 150may comprise a component of, or be communicatively coupled with, network250. Enhancement system 100 may be communicatively coupled with network250. In an embodiment, enhancement system 100 is communicatively coupledwith network 250 with or via communication medium or network 150.Enhancement system 100 may comprise a component of user telephone 121and/or user cell phone 123. Additionally or alternatively, enhancementsystem 100 may comprise a component of an entity 201 that is associatedwith or communicatively coupled to, or which itself comprises acomponent of, network 250, such as a telephone switching station, arouter, a switch, or a server, etc.

Off-board reinforcements and prompts 119 may be communicatively coupledto system 100 via network 250. Additionally or alternatively, off-boardreinforcements and prompts 119 may comprise a component of, or becommunicatively coupled directly with network entity 201. A telephone299, with which a remote conversant may communicate with the user ofsystem 100, may be coupled to telephone 121 and/or cell phone 123 viathe network 250.

Example Computer System Implementation Platform

Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented with a computersystem, systems configured in electronic circuitry and components, anintegrated circuit (IC) device such as a microcontroller, a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), or another configurable or programmablelogic device (PLD), a discrete time or digital signal processor (DSP),an application specific IC (ASIC), and/or apparatus that includes one ormore of such systems, devices or components. The computer and/or IC mayperform, control or execute instructions relating to telephoneenhancements, such as are described herein. The computer and/or IC maycompute any of a variety of parameters or values that relate to thetelephone enhancements, e.g., as described herein. The telephoneenhancement embodiments may be implemented in hardware, software,firmware and various combinations thereof, e.g., as hardware componentsor devices, or as modules of code or other software.

FIG. 3 depicts an example computer system platform 300, with which anembodiment of the present invention may be implemented. Computer system300 includes a bus 302 or other communication mechanism forcommunicating information, and a processor 304 coupled with bus 302 forprocessing information. Computer system 300 also includes a main memory306, such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storagedevice, coupled to bus 302 for storing information and instructions tobe executed by processor 304. Main memory 306 also may be used forstoring temporary variables or other intermediate information duringexecution of instructions to be executed by processor 304.

Computer system 300 further includes a read only memory (ROM) 308 orother static storage device coupled to bus 302 for storing staticinformation and instructions for processor 304. A storage device 310,such as a magnetic disk or optical disk, is provided and coupled to bus302 for storing information and instructions. Processor 304 may performone or more digital signal processing (DSP) functions. Additionally oralternatively, DSP functions may be performed by another processor orentity (represented herein with processor 304).

Computer system 300 may be coupled via bus 302 to a display 312, such asa liquid crystal display (LCD), cathode ray tube (CRT), plasma displayor the like, for displaying information to a computer user. In cellphone applications, LCDs or “thin” or “cold cathode” CRTs may be usedwith some regularity. An input device 314, including alphanumeric andother keys, is coupled to bus 302 for communicating information andcommand selections to processor 304. Another type of user input deviceis cursor control 316, such as haptic-enabled “touch-screen” GUIdisplays or a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys forcommunicating direction information and command selections to processor304 and for controlling cursor movement on display 312. Such inputdevices typically have two degrees of freedom in two axes, a first axis(e.g., x) and a second axis (e.g., y), which allows the device tospecify positions in a plane. Some phones with simpler keyboards mayimplement this or a similar feature haptically using a touch-screen GUIdisplay and/or with a set of directionally active “arrow” keys.

Embodiments of the invention relate to the use of computer system 300for telephone enhancements, such as the positive reinforcement relatedaudiological training and other embodiments described herein. Anembodiment of the present invention relates to the use of computersystem 300 to compute telephone enhancements, as described herein.According to an embodiment of the invention, positive reinforcements areprovided to phone users who self-moderate their speaking volume beforebeing prompted to do so in response detecting a volume that is excessivein relation to a volume that suffices to sustain a telephonicconversation. This feature is provided, controlled, enabled or allowedwith computer system 300 functioning in response to processor 304executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained inmain memory 306. Such instructions may be read into main memory 306 fromanother computer-readable medium, such as storage device 310. Executionof the sequences of instructions contained in main memory 306 causesprocessor 304 to perform the process steps described herein. One or moreprocessors in a multi-processing arrangement may also be employed toexecute the sequences of instructions contained in main memory 306. Inalternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of orin combination with software instructions to implement the invention.Thus, embodiments of the invention are not limited to any specificcombination of hardware, circuitry, firmware and/or software.

The terms “computer-readable medium” and/or “computer-readable storagemedium” as used herein may refer to any medium that participates inproviding instructions to processor 304 for execution. Such a medium maytake many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media,volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media includes, forexample, optical or magnetic disks, such as storage device 310. Volatilemedia includes dynamic memory, such as main memory 306. Transmissionmedia includes coaxial cables, copper wire and other conductors andfiber optics, including the wires (or other conductors or optics) thatcomprise bus 302. Transmission media can also take the form of acoustic(e.g., sound) or electromagnetic (e.g., light) waves, such as thosegenerated during radio wave and infrared and other optical datacommunications.

Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppydisk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, or any other magneticmedium, a CD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, anyother legacy or other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, aPROM, and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, acarrier wave as described hereinafter, or any other medium from which acomputer can read.

Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying oneor more sequences of one or more instructions to processor 304 forexecution. For example, the instructions may initially be carried on amagnetic disk of a remote computer. The remote computer can load theinstructions into its dynamic memory and send the instructions over atelephone line using a modem. A modem local to computer system 300 canreceive the data on the telephone line and use an infrared transmitterto convert the data to an infrared signal. An infrared detector coupledto bus 302 can receive the data carried in the infrared signal and placethe data on bus 302. Bus 302 carries the data to main memory 306, fromwhich processor 304 retrieves and executes the instructions. Theinstructions received by main memory 306 may optionally be stored onstorage device 310 either before or after execution by processor 304.

Computer system 300 also includes a communication interface 318 coupledto bus 302. Communication interface 318 provides a two-way datacommunication coupling to a network link 320 that is connected to alocal network 322. For example, communication interface 318 may be anintegrated services digital network (ISDN) card or a digital subscriberline (DSL), cable or other modem to provide a data communicationconnection to a corresponding type of telephone line. As anotherexample, communication interface 318 may be a local area network (LAN)card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN.Wireless links may also be implemented. In any such implementation,communication interface 318 sends and receives electrical,electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streamsrepresenting various types of information.

Network link 320 typically provides data communication through one ormore networks to other data devices. For example, network link 320 mayprovide a connection through local network 322 to a host computer 324 orto data equipment operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) (ortelephone switching company) 326. In an embodiment, local network 322may comprise a communication medium with which a user's telephonefunctions. ISP 326 in turn provides data communication services throughthe worldwide packet data communication network now commonly referred toas the “Internet” 328. Local network 322 and Internet 328 both useelectrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital datastreams. The signals through the various networks and the signals onnetwork link 320 and through communication interface 318, which carrythe digital data to and from computer system 300, are exemplary forms ofcarrier waves transporting the information. Computer system 300 can sendmessages and receive data, including program code, through thenetwork(s), network link 320 and communication interface 318.

In the Internet example, a server 330 might transmit a requested codefor an application program through Internet 328, ISP 326, local network322 and communication interface 318. In an embodiment of the invention,one such downloaded application provides for telephone enhancementsdescribed herein. The positive reinforcements and/or the promptsdescribed herein may also be thus downloaded.

The received code may be executed by processor 304 as it is received,and/or stored in storage device 310, or other non-volatile storage forlater execution. In this manner, computer system 300 may obtainapplication code in the form of a carrier wave.

Example IC Device Platform

FIG. 4 depicts an example IC device 400, with which an embodiment of thepresent invention may be implemented, e.g., for telephone enhancements,e.g., as described herein. IC device 400 may comprise a component of auser's cell phone or other telephone, in which the component functionsin relation to the enhancements described herein. Additionally oralternatively, IC device 400 may comprise a component of an entity,apparatus or system that is associated with a communication medium, theInternet or a telephone network or another network with which the user'stelephone functions, in which the component functions in relation to theenhancements described herein.

IC device 400 may have an input/output (I/O) feature 401. I/O feature401 receives input signals and routes them via routing fabric 410 to acentral processing unit (CPU) 402, which functions with storage 403. I/Ofeature 401 also receives output signals from other component featuresof IC device 400 and may control a part of the signal flow over routingfabric 410. A digital signal processing (DSP) feature performs at leastfunction relating to discrete time signal processing. An interface 405accesses external signals and routes them to I/O feature 301, and allowsIC device 400 to export signals. Routing fabric 410 routes signals andpower between the various component features of IC device 400.

Active elements 411 may comprise configurable and/or programmableprocessing elements (CPPE) 411, such as arrays of logic gates that mayperform dedicated functions of IC device 400, which in an embodiment mayrelate to extracting and processing media fingerprints that reliablyconform to media content. Additionally or alternatively, active elements411 may comprise pre-arrayed (e.g., especially designed, arrayed,laid-out, photolithographically etched and/or electrically orelectronically interconnected and gated) field effect transistors (FETs)or bipolar logic devices, e.g., wherein IC device 400 comprises an ASIC.Storage 412 dedicates sufficient memory cells for CPPE (or other activeelements) 411 to function efficiently. CPPE (or other active elements)411 may include one or more dedicated DSP features 414.

Thus, an embodiment of the present invention is described that relatesto one or more of the example embodiments, enumerated below.

-   1. A method, comprising:

monitoring a speaking volume of a telephone user's voice in relation toa minimum volume that is computed to be sufficient for a remoteconversant, with whom the user communicates with the telephone, toaudibly perceive the user's speech;

upon detecting that the user's monitored speaking volume exceeds thecomputed level that suffices to allow the remote conversant to perceivethe user's speech, determining whether the user moderates the speakingvoice, without being prompted in relation to the excessive speakingvolume, to a level that at least approximates the computed minimumsufficient volume;

upon determining that the user moderates the speaking voice, withoutbeing prompted, to a level that approximates the computed minimumsufficient volume, providing a positive reinforcement to the user.

-   2. The method as recited in enumerated example embodiment 1, further    comprising:

recording a result for the monitoring step and the determining step overa plurality of the user's phone calls;

from the recorded result, tracking whether a frequency of the usermoderating the speaking volume without being prompted rises over theplurality of the user's phone calls; and

upon the frequency of the user moderating the speaking volume withoutbeing prompted rising over the plurality of the user's phone calls,improving a one or more of a quality or a quantity of the positivereinforcement;

wherein the user is trained to self modulate the speaking voice.

-   3. The method as recited in enumerated example embodiment 1, further    comprising:

upon determining that the user does not moderate the speaking voice to alevel that approximates the computed minimum sufficient volume,prompting the user to moderate the speaking voice.

-   4. The method as recited in one or more of enumerated example    embodiment 1 or enumerated example embodiment 3 wherein one or more    of the provision of the positive reinforcement or the prompting step    comprises providing a signal that is at least audible to the user    with the phone.-   5. The method as recited in enumerated example embodiment 4 wherein    one or more of the prompt signal or the positive reinforcement is    stored at the phone.-   6. The method as recited in enumerated example embodiment 4 wherein    one or more of the prompt signal or the positive reinforcement is    stored remotely in relation to the user's phone.-   7. The method as recited in enumerated example embodiment 6 wherein    one or more of the prompt signal or the positive reinforcement is    stored with a component of a telephone network or system over which    the user's phone is communicatively coupled with a phone of the    remote conversant.-   8. The method as recited in one or more of enumerated example    embodiment 1 or enumerated example embodiment 4 wherein one or more    of the positive reinforcement or the prompt signal is substantially    inaudible to the remote conversant.-   9. The method as recited in enumerated example embodiment 2 wherein    the determination whether the user moderates the speaking voice    without being prompted comprises determining whether the user    moderates the speaking voice without being prompted within a time    period.-   10. The method as recited in enumerated example embodiment 9 wherein    the time period comprises one or more of a pre-set time span, a    threshold time span, a programmable, changeable, controllable or    adjustable time span, a variable time span, or a constant time span.-   11. The method as recited in enumerated example embodiment 10    wherein one or more of the threshold time span, the programmable,    changeable, controllable or adjustable time span, or the variable    time span is at least one of changeable, controllable, adjustable or    variable based, at least in part, on a change in the frequency of    the user moderating the speaking volume without being prompted.-   12. The method as recited in enumerated example embodiment 11    wherein the time period changeability, controllability,    adjustability or variability relates to the improvement in the    quality or a quantity of the positive reinforcement.-   13. The method as recited in enumerated example embodiment 12    wherein the time period changeability, controllability,    adjustability or variability correspondingly relates to the    improvement in the quality or a quantity of the positive    reinforcement.-   14. The method as recited in enumerated example embodiment 13    wherein the time period shortens as the quality or a quantity of the    positive reinforcement improves;

wherein the user is further trained to self modulate the speaking voice.

-   15. The method as recited in enumerated example embodiment 2 wherein    the positive reinforcement comprises one or more of a plurality of    sounds.-   16. The method as recited in enumerated example embodiment 15    wherein the one or more sounds are selectable according to a    preference of the user.-   17. The method as recited in enumerated example embodiment 15    wherein the one or more sounds are pre-recorded.-   18. The method as recited in enumerated example embodiment 15    wherein the one or more sounds are recordable according to a    preference of the user.-   19. The method as recited in enumerated example embodiment 18    wherein the one or more sounds, which are recordable according to a    preference of the user, comprises a variety of sounds.-   20. The method as recited in enumerated example embodiment 19    wherein one or more of the variety of sounds or the user preference    thereof relates to the quality or the quantity of the positive    reinforcement.-   21. The method as recited in enumerated example embodiment 19    wherein the quality of the positive reinforcement corresponds to a    characteristic of the positive reinforcement that relates to a    subjective preference of the user.-   22. The method as recited in one or more of enumerated example    embodiment 1 though enumerated example embodiment 4, inclusive,    wherein one or more of the determining step or the monitoring step    comprises:

monitoring an ambient noise level that is associated with one or more ofthe telephone of the user or the telephone of the remote conversant inrelation to a minimum volume that suffices to allow a remote conversant,with whom the user communicates with the telephone, to perceive thespeech of the user.

-   23. The method as recited in enumerated example embodiment 1,    further comprising:

upon detecting that user moderates the user's speaking voice before theprompting step occurs, reinforcing the user's moderating behavior;

wherein, based at least in part on the reinforcing step, the user isfurther trained to moderate the user's telephone speaking voice.

-   24. The method as recited in enumerated example embodiment 1,    further comprising:

upon detecting that the user's speaking voice is insufficient for theremote conversant to understand the user's speech, prompting the user inrelation to the insufficient speaking volume, wherein the user isinformed to raise the speaking volume to a level that is computed tosuffice to allow the remote conversant to perceive the speech of theuser.

-   25. The method as recited in one or more of enumerated example    embodiment 1 or

enumerated example embodiment 2, further comprising: monitoring an

effectiveness of one or more of the providing step or the improvingstep; and

changing the one or more of the providing step or the improving step,wherein the effectiveness is improved;

wherein upon the change, the user is further trained to moderate thespeaking voice volume.

-   26. The method as recited in one or more of enumerated example    embodiment 1 or

enumerated example embodiment 2 wherein the moderation of the user'sspeaking voice volume comprises lowering the volume.

-   27. The method as recited in one or more of enumerated example    embodiment 1 or

enumerated example embodiment 2 wherein the telephone comprises at leastone of a land line connected telephone, a telephone that has a fixedgeographical location, a mobile telephone, a portable telephone, acellular telephone or a personal digital assistant (PDA) or similarcomputing or communicating device.

-   28. The method as recited in enumerated example embodiment 2 wherein    the recorded result comprises a stored and indexed set of relative    levels of the user speaking volume prior and subsequent to the    moderating of the user speaking voice.-   29. The method as recited in one or more of enumerated example    embodiment 1 or enumerated example embodiment 2 wherein the computed    sufficient volume level is measure in relation to a threshold level.-   30. The method as recited in enumerated example embodiment 29    wherein the threshold level comprises one or more of:

a preset volume level; or

a volume level that is adjustable in response to one or more of a rangeor a change in an ambient noise level that is proximate to the usertelephone.

-   31. The method as recited in enumerated example embodiment 3 wherein    the prompting step comprises:

notifying the user in relation to the volume level; and

allowing the user to attempt to moderate the volume level.

-   32. The method as recited in enumerated example embodiment 31    wherein the allowing step comprises:

monitoring the user speaking volume upon the prompt; and

upon the user moderating the volume, reinforcing the moderation; or

upon one or more of no significant change in the speaking volumefollowing the prompt, repeating the prompting step.

-   33. The method as recited in enumerated example embodiment 32    wherein the repeating step comprises augmenting the prompt.-   34. The method as recited in enumerated example embodiment 32    wherein the augmenting step comprises providing an enhanced prompt.-   35. The method as recited in enumerated example embodiment 32    wherein the monitoring step upon the prompt persists for a time    duration that follows the prompt.-   36. The method as recited in one or more of enumerated example    embodiment 1 or enumerated example embodiment 2 wherein one or more    of the monitoring step, the recording step or the tracking step is    performed continuously, periodically, discretely or persistently.-   37. The method as recited in one or more of enumerated example    embodiment 1 or enumerated example embodiment 2 wherein one or more    of the monitoring, determining, prompting, recording, tracking or    improving steps is performed with the user's phone.-   38. The method as recited in one or more of enumerated example    embodiment 1 or enumerated example embodiment 2 wherein one or more    of the monitoring, determining, prompting, recording, tracking or    improving steps is performed remotely in relation to the user's    phone.-   39. The method as recited in enumerated example embodiment 38    wherein one or more of the monitoring, determining, prompting,    recording, tracking or improving steps is performed with a component    of a telephone or communication network or system over which the    user's phone is communicatively coupled with a telephone of the    remote conversant.-   40. A system, comprising:

means for monitoring a speaking volume of a telephone user's voice inrelation to a minimum volume that is computed to be sufficient for aremote conversant, with whom the user communicates with the telephone,to audibly perceive the user's speech;

means for determining, upon detecting that the user's monitored speakingvolume exceeds the computed level that suffices to allow the remoteconversant to perceive the user's speech, whether the user moderates thespeaking voice, without being prompted in relation to the excessivespeaking volume, to a level that at least approximates the computedminimum sufficient volume;

means for providing a positive reinforcement to the user upondetermining that the user moderates the speaking voice, without beingprompted, to a level that approximates the computed minimum sufficientvolume.

-   41. The system as recited in enumerated example embodiment 40,    further comprising:

means for recording a result for the monitoring step and the determiningstep over a plurality of the user's phone calls;

means for tracking, from the recorded result, whether a frequency of theuser moderating the speaking volume without being prompted rises overthe plurality of the user's phone calls; and

means for improving a one or more of a quality or a quantity of thepositive reinforcement upon the frequency of the user moderating thespeaking volume without being prompted rising over the plurality of theuser's phone calls;

wherein the system means train the user to self modulate the speakingvoice.

-   42. A system, comprising:

a monitor that tracks a speaking volume of a telephone user's voice inrelation to a minimum volume that is computed to be sufficient for aremote conversant, with whom the user communicates with the telephone,to audibly perceive the user's speech;

a controller that, upon the monitor detecting that the user's monitoredspeaking volume exceeds the computed level that suffices to allow theremote conversant to perceive the user's speech, determines whether theuser moderates the speaking voice, without being prompted in relation tothe excessive speaking volume, to a level that at least approximates thecomputed minimum sufficient volume; and

a training agent that, upon the controller determining that the usermoderates the speaking voice, without being prompted, to a level thatapproximates the computed minimum sufficient volume, provides a positivereinforcement to the user.

-   43. The system as recited in enumerated example embodiment 42,    further comprising:

a recorder that records a result for the monitor and the controller overa plurality of the user's phone calls;

a tracker that, from the recorded result, tracks whether a frequency ofthe user moderating the speaking volume without being prompted risesover the plurality of the user's phone calls; and

an enhancer that, upon the frequency of the user moderating the speakingvolume without being prompted rising over the plurality of the user'sphone calls, improves one or more of a quality or a quantity of thepositive reinforcement, wherein the system provides training to a user,wherein the user is trained to self modulate the speaking voice.

-   44. The system as recited in one or more of enumerated example    embodiment 42 or enumerated example embodiment 43 wherein at least a    portion of the system comprises, or is disposed with, a component of    the telephone.-   45. The system as recited in one or more of enumerated example    embodiment 42 or enumerated example embodiment 43 wherein at least a    portion of the system comprises, or is disposed with, a component of    one or more of a communications medium or a network with which the    telephone functions.-   46. The system as recited in one or more of enumerated example    embodiment 42, enumerated example embodiment 43, enumerated example    embodiment 44 or enumerated example embodiment 45 wherein the    communications medium comprises a network.-   47. The system as recited in enumerated example embodiment 46    wherein the network comprises one or more of a telephone system or    the Internet.-   48. An apparatus, comprising:

one or more processors; and

a computer readable storage medium that comprises instructions, whichwhen executed or performed by the one or more processors, causes orcontrols the one or more processors to:

perform, execute or control a method as recited in one or more steps ofone or more of enumerated example embodiments 1-39; or

control, configure, program or function within one or more of thesystems as recited in one or more of enumerated example embodiments40-47.

-   49. An integrated circuit (IC) device that comprises one or more    active elements, wherein the active elements are disposed, arrayed,    configured, programmed or controlled to:

perform, execute or control a method as recited in one or more steps ofone or more of enumerated example embodiments 1-39; or

control, configure, program or function within one or more of thesystems as recited in one or more of enumerated example embodiments40-47 or the apparatus as recited in enumerated example embodiment 48.

-   50. The IC device as recited in enumerated example embodiment 49    wherein the IC comprises at least one of a microprocessor, a    programmable logic device, an application specific IC (ASIC), a    digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array    (FPGA) or a microcontroller.-   51. The IC device as recited in one or more of enumerated example    embodiment 49 or enumerated example embodiment 50 wherein the IC    device comprises a component of at least one of:

a telephone;

a computing system, device or apparatus; or

a communicating system, device or apparatus.

-   52. A use for a computer, comprising one or more of:

performing, executing or controlling a method as recited in one or moresteps of one or more of enumerated example embodiments 1-39; or

programming, controlling, configuring, or functioning with one or moreof the systems as recited in one or more of enumerated exampleembodiments 39-44, the apparatus as recited in enumerated exampleembodiment 45 or the IC devices as recited in one or more of enumeratedexample embodiment 49, enumerated example embodiment 50 or enumeratedexample embodiment 51.

-   53. A computer readable storage medium comprising encoded    instructions, which when executed with one or more processors,    programs, causes or controls the processors to:

perform, execute or control a method as recited in one or more steps ofone or more of enumerated example embodiments 1-39; or

control, configure or program one or more of the systems, apparatus, ICdevices or computer use as recited in one or more of enumerated exampleembodiments 40-52.

Equivalents, Extensions, Alternatives And Miscellaneous

Example embodiments of telephone enhancements are thus described. In theforegoing specification, embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed with reference to numerous specific details that may vary fromimplementation to implementation. Thus, the sole and exclusive indicatorof what is the invention, and is intended by the applicants to be theinvention, is the set of claims that issue from this application, in thespecific form in which such claims issue, including any subsequentcorrection. Any definitions expressly set forth herein for termscontained in such claims shall govern the meaning of such terms as usedin the claims. Hence, no limitation, element, property, feature,advantage or attribute that is not expressly recited in a claim shouldlimit the scope of such claim in any way. The specification and drawingsare, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than arestrictive sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: monitoring a speakingvolume of a telephone user's voice in relation to a minimum volume thatis computed to be sufficient for a remote conversant, with whom the usercommunicates with the telephone, to audibly perceive the user's speech;upon detecting that the user's monitored speaking volume exceeds thecomputed level that suffices to allow the remote conversant to perceivethe user's speech, determining whether the user moderates the speakingvoice, without being prompted in relation to the excessive speakingvolume, to a level that at least approximates the computed minimumsufficient volume; upon determining that the user moderates the speakingvoice, without being prompted, to a level that approximates the computedminimum sufficient volume, providing a positive reinforcement to theuser; recording a result for the monitoring step and the determiningstep over a plurality of the user's phone calls; from the recordedresult, tracking whether a frequency of the user moderating the speakingvolume without being prompted rises over the plurality of the user'sphone calls; and upon the frequency of the user moderating the speakingvolume without being prompted rising over the plurality of the user'sphone calls, improving a one or more of a quality or a quantity of thepositive reinforcement; wherein the user is trained to self modulate thespeaking voice.
 2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:upon determining that the user does not moderate the speaking voice to alevel that approximates the computed minimum sufficient volume,prompting the user to moderate the speaking voice.
 3. The method asrecited in claim 2 wherein one or more of the provision of the positivereinforcement or the prompting step comprises providing a signal that isat least audible to the user with the phone.
 4. The method as recited inclaim 3 wherein one or more of the prompt signal or the positivereinforcement is stored at the phone.
 5. The method as recited in claim3 wherein one or more of the prompt signal or the positive reinforcementis stored remotely in relation to the user's phone.
 6. The method asrecited in claim 5 wherein one or more of the prompt signal or thepositive reinforcement is stored with a component of a telephone networkor system over which the user's phone is communicatively coupled with aphone of the remote conversant.
 7. The method as recited in claim 1wherein one or more of the positive reinforcement or the prompt signalis substantially inaudible to the remote conversant.
 8. The method asrecited in claim 1 wherein the determination whether the user moderatesthe speaking voice without being prompted comprises determining whetherthe user moderates the speaking voice without being prompted within atime period.
 9. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein the time periodcomprises one or more of a pre-set time span, a threshold time span, aprogrammable, changeable, controllable or adjustable time span, avariable time span, or a constant time span.
 10. The method as recitedin claim 9 wherein one or more of the threshold time span, theprogrammable, changeable, controllable or adjustable time span, or thevariable time span is at least one of changeable, controllable,adjustable or variable based, at least in part, on a change in thefrequency of the user moderating the speaking volume without beingprompted.
 11. The method as recited in claim 10 wherein the time periodchangeability, controllability, adjustability or variability relates tothe improvement in the quality or a quantity of the positivereinforcement.
 12. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein the timeperiod changeability, controllability, adjustability or variabilitycorrespondingly relates to the improvement in the quality or a quantityof the positive reinforcement.
 13. The method as recited in claim 12wherein the time period shortens as the quality or a quantity of thepositive reinforcement improves; wherein the user is further trained toself modulate the speaking voice.
 14. The method as recited in claim 1wherein the positive reinforcement comprises one or more of a pluralityof sounds.
 15. The method as recited in claim 14 wherein the one or moresounds are selectable according to a preference of the user.
 16. Themethod as recited in claim 14 wherein the one or more sounds arepre-recorded.
 17. The method as recited in claim 14 wherein the one ormore sounds are recordable according to a preference of the user. 18.The method as recited in claim 17 wherein the one or more sounds, whichare recordable according to a preference of the user, comprises avariety of sounds.
 19. A system, comprising: means for monitoring aspeaking volume of a telephone user's voice in relation to a minimumvolume that is computed to be sufficient for a remote conversant, withwhom the user communicates with the telephone, to audibly perceive theuser's speech; means for determining, upon detecting that the user'smonitored speaking volume exceeds the computed level that suffices toallow the remote conversant to perceive the user's speech, whether theuser moderates the speaking voice, without being prompted in relation tothe excessive speaking volume, to a level that at least approximates thecomputed minimum sufficient volume; means for providing a positivereinforcement to the user upon determining that the user moderates thespeaking voice, without being prompted, to a level that approximates thecomputed minimum sufficient volume; means for recording a result for themonitoring step and the determining step over a plurality of the user'sphone calls; means for tracking, from the recorded result, whether afrequency of the user moderating the speaking volume without beingprompted rises over the plurality of the user's phone calls; and meansfor improving a one or more of a quality or a quantity of the positivereinforcement upon the frequency of the user moderating the speakingvolume without being prompted rising over the plurality of the user'sphone calls; wherein the system means train the user to self modulatethe speaking voice.
 20. A system, comprising: a monitor that tracks aspeaking volume of a telephone user's voice in relation to a minimumvolume that is computed to be sufficient for a remote conversant, withwhom the user communicates with the telephone, to audibly perceive theuser's speech; a controller that, upon the monitor detecting that theuser's monitored speaking volume exceeds the computed level thatsuffices to allow the remote conversant to perceive the user's speech,determines whether the user moderates the speaking voice, without beingprompted in relation to the excessive speaking volume, to a level thatat least approximates the computed minimum sufficient volume; and atraining agent that, upon the controller determining that the usermoderates the speaking voice, without being prompted, to a level thatapproximates the computed minimum sufficient volume, provides a positivereinforcement to the user; a recorder that records a result for themonitor and the controller over a plurality of the user's phone calls; atracker that, from the recorded result, tracks whether a frequency ofthe user moderating the speaking volume without being prompted risesover the plurality of the user's phone calls; and an enhancer that, uponthe frequency of the user moderating the speaking volume without beingprompted rising over the plurality of the user's phone calls, improvesone or more of a quality or a quantity of the positive reinforcement,wherein the system provides training to a user, wherein the user istrained to self modulate the speaking voice.
 21. The system as recitedin claim 20 wherein at least a portion of the system comprises, or isdisposed with, a component of the telephone.
 22. The system as recitedin claim 20 wherein at least a portion of the system comprises, or isdisposed with, a component of one or more of a communications medium ora network with which the telephone functions.
 23. The system as recitedin claim 22 wherein the communications medium comprises a network. 24.The system as recited in claim 23 wherein the network comprises one ormore of a telephone system or the Internet.
 25. A computer readablestorage medium comprising instructions that are encoded therewith, whichwhen executed with one or more processors, programs, causes or controlsthe processors to perform, execute or control a method, the methodcomprising the steps of: monitoring a speaking volume of a telephoneuser's voice in relation to a minimum volume that is computed to besufficient for a remote conversant, with whom the user communicates withthe telephone, to audibly perceive the user's speech; upon detectingthat the user's monitored speaking volume exceeds the computed levelthat suffices to allow the remote conversant to perceive the user'sspeech, determining whether the user moderates the speaking voice,without being prompted in relation to the excessive speaking volume, toa level that at least approximates the computed minimum sufficientvolume; upon determining that the user moderates the speaking voice,without being prompted, to a level that approximates the computedminimum sufficient volume, providing a positive reinforcement to theuser; recording a result for the monitoring step and the determiningstep over a plurality of the user's phone calls; from the recordedresult, tracking whether a frequency of the user moderating the speakingvolume without being prompted rises over the plurality of the user'sphone calls; and upon the frequency of the user moderating the speakingvolume without being prompted rising over the plurality of the user'sphone calls, improving a one or more of a quality or a quantity of thepositive reinforcement; wherein the user is trained to self modulate thespeaking voice.
 26. The computer readable storage medium as recited inclaim 25 wherein the method further comprises the steps of: upondetermining that the user does not moderate the speaking voice to alevel that approximates the computed minimum sufficient volume,prompting the user to moderate the speaking voice.